Wet Concrete

stampcrete

Ok guys sometimes we have the mixer driver add a little water to make the concrete easier to float. Yes I have used plasticiser but that gets expensive. Doing stamped work I add no water (4 slump) with retarder or a big pour I will add a fritz pack retarder half way through the pour.
We all know that adding water will decrease its strength.My question is do you guys order a stronger mix if you plan on spreading soup.
Kirk

dirt diggler

im no expert at finishing concrete

but you shouldn't be finishing off the bleed

that will weaken the surface ... and flake


maybe i misunderstood??

stampcrete

No I mean just pouring a 5-6 slump compared to a 4 slump the wetter gives you more time and ease of working with it but it definitely reduces its strength. so in turn do you order a stronger mix. I know the correct way is to use a plasticer which uses the water in the concrete and reduces friction in the mix so it flows easier but costs around 10 bucks a yard more. -Kirk

joasis

we run a 5-6 slump, and I always do #3500....when we stamp, we try to pick a cooler day, and work fast.....the secret I learned was don't do large areas with shade and sun on the same slab....what a bear!

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concretemasonry

The water added for the higher slump does nothing but cost you money.

1. The concrete will be weaker.

2. The concrete will shrink more and you will have cracks and unhappy citomers.

3. It will cost you more to finish because you will have to wait longer to do it right.

4. You are biting off more work that you can do with the crew you have.

5. It sounds like you are trying to pinch pennies and not doing what you know is right. That will only get you a bad reputation and less work.

I thought stamped concrete was suposed to be a premium product, but you could be making it a short term product where errors are more easily noticed.

Don't expect to get a good recommendation from the ready-mix supplier when someone calls looking for a contractor. It is easy to tell when someone is changing the mix and cause quality and reputation problems. Usually, the driver is required to note any additions (including water) on his copy of the delivery ticket.

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Dick

Engineer, designer and consultant recently active domestically and internationally on construction and design in about 35 countries.

POOLMANinCT

10 bucks a yard.....
spend it, there are really good guys in your area w/ A+ reps,,,

its just 10 bucks

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......Less with the jaw & More with the paw.....

stampcrete

Like I said I pour stamped work at a 4 as ordered and use mini delay packs as needed. If I poured much wetter the bottom sets before the top and your waiting for the bleed water and then you have to bust your a??. Im not penney pinching because at 13-15 bucks a sq ft who needs to worry about a couple hundred bucks. Maybe i should of asked it differently. If you are used to pouring 3500 for say a footing or a frost wall and you know that you have to pour a 30' frost wall that the truck is not capable of pulling right up to including my own chute . Would you order a 6 slump with 4500. Its just a question I thought I would ask because every job is not the same and im curious what other guys do.

POOLMANinCT

worth pumping?

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......Less with the jaw & More with the paw.....

stampcrete

Im having a job pumped on monday after I dig out the mud that slid into the hole and bowed the footing forms in. sounds like I will be playing in the mud tommorow. Ye ha

Same Old

I think you need to read about mix design. I wouldn't be pouring anything less than 4000# for stamping. In addition the mix is completely different than a footing mix or even a slab mix. You are selling a premium product that is trying to hold on to a hard fought reputation. Talk to your ready mix engineer and have them design a mix for you.

BTW I always add plasticizer when the truck shows up. You also need to learn how the plasticizer affects the workability during the poor. It will change the working times you are used to. But it's worth every penny, I'll never pour without it again.

And seriously, $10/yd?? You're charging $1000/yd for the finished product. How much are you paying for color?

woodmagman

Why not find the slump you want to work at and order it at that slump. You can design what ever mix you want. If you need a 3000 psi mix with a 6 inch slump....order it that way. Adding water to the mix on site compromises the mix. Like concrete said....pay now or pay later....